The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1887-11-25
Ghe 1emnrraf-S Star
7 7 FROM NEW YORK.
Naval Exercises at Newport.


time Nations annually engage in 8
series of naval mau0euvres during
which some plan OF operation, Is
DCar as possible under conditions
that would be anticipated in actual
hostilities, are carried OUT. These
experiments are of uuqueStiOned
value aud furnishes the most valu-
able school Of instruction, both for
officers aud men. Our own ma.
noeuvres this year, Rave been cOn-
Quoted Oh a much larger scale than
usual, and the principles which
they were Intended to throw light
on, were mostly subjects of expert
mental inquiry. One of the most
Interesting and realistic of these,
was the naval attack upon New
port by the Moth Atlantic Squad.
ron to day. While 1t is generally
conceded that vessels eau never
engage a tort OH equal terms, still
the latter, per Sc, can offer but little
resistance to vessels passing it.
But when the channel it commands
is INSTRUCTED with tOrpedOeS, with
its adjunct OF torpedo boats, the
question becomes complex and the
evolution was for the purpose of
solving this problem if possible.
The squadron composed OF the
new steel cruiser "Atlauta," the
Flagship "Richmond" flying the
flag OF Rear Admiral Luce, "Gale-
ma" "OssIple" and "DOlphin," got
underway at Gam. this morning
and steamed outside the harbor,
where it was supposed TO represent
BlOckadlng Fleet, eager to tHrn
its powers of attack and destruc-
ton against the invested port.
The conditions governing the
minis contest were that the West
ern channel was inaccessible, and
the main entrance into the harbor
INSTRUCTED with a niue field, pro
tected by the guns of Fort Adams.
A suppOsitiOus narrow opening,
made by c0unternining, existed in
tho former and it was determined
to take advantage of this channel,
run by the batteries aud attack the
city from the rear.
The Admiral's instructions speci-
fed: "An early breakfast having
been served and ships cleaned tor
action, the squadron will get no
derway at about 6 am. Upon
signal being made to Run by the
enemies batteries the Flagship
will lead, the vessels in natural or.
der of Steaming."
The courses 10 be stePred are
then infinitely detailed and the in
structiOns go on to say THAT it is
known that this line of bearings
leads through the distractions and
will be closely held while passing
them. Before reaching the sicini-
ty OF the mines, vessels will keep a
little on the starboard quarter of
the next ahead 10 allow free range
to the bow aud stern guns. Should
smoke interfere with seeing the
range, the estimated distance from
the shore mnst be the guide. The
Squadron will necessarily pass very
close to the forts and a rapid fire
of machine guns IN the tops will
be relied on to drive the defenders
from their guns or to discomfort
their aim. Having run by the forts
the vessels will proceed to the an
chOrage off COddington Point aud
prepare TO land the troops. When
the landiGg commences, a covering :
fire will be kept Ip as rapidly rs l
can be maintained aud as il is not
presumed that the defense will give T.,
up the control OF the city without a !.
struggle, the boats must be =.
Kept ready for a rapid, but it is to J
he hoped, an orderly retreat at all .
=
The other instructions concern +
details, are not of general in. q
and are not given. =
Torpedo Launches, armed also q
with guns, were to take stations q
wellin advance of the vessels and n
10 be ready to nentralize or de. i
stroy those of the defense. h
Each ship carried an umpire, and =
the rules OF the simulated attack re. n
luired that they should adjudge,- 8
ANY ship passing within the radi. +,
As OF destructive effect of a tOrpe n
10, as hors de combat" also "Any a
torpedo boat of the defense which Ia
arrive within ten yards of a II
Vessel as having torpedoed her.n !,
Ind conversely, "Any torpedo boat ~
being under fire from two rounds of H.
heavy gun: or two minutes from -
machiue gun or one minute from
wo boat guns, we've to be ruled
ut of %actiOn.r 60
To estimate the damage hat n
Eould have been sustained by eth ".
r ships or Fort by battery fire, of. al
lcers were detailed to note the time di
nd number of shots, elevation, OBJ III
ret aimed ut aud all data necessary W.
Or plotting the impact of shots. 81
The vessels having been cleaned "
or action the previous evening, III
OF underway at 6 am, and steam. 10
d ont past the light ship aud th
Ibeellng in perfect order, took as
heir formation for the attack. the Sc
ignal for which was soon fving ba
rom the "Riehmoud,7 followed al gu
post instantly by the beat Of
runs 10 quarters. Rapidly and